The case of a former teacher at Lafayette’s bilingual elementary school accused of pushing and yelling at students is heading to trial in March.

Antonio Elias Rodriguez, 49, was charged earlier this year with four misdemeanor counts of child abuse — knowing/reckless, causing no injury.

Rodriguez appeared in court Monday for a case management conference with attorneys before his trial, which is scheduled to begin on March 6.

Rodriguez was a first-year teacher at Pioneer Elementary School, where he taught fourth graders.

Barber said Rodriguez was placed on administrative leave when the investigation began in April and dismissed at the end of the school year in May, Boulder Valley School District spokesman Randy Barber said.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, a Lafayette detective was dispatched on April 20 to the school for a report of an assault.

Principal Kristin Nelson-Steinhoff told the detective that a student reported being grabbed by the neck by his teacher, Rodriguez. She said three other students said they were either touched or pushed by him.

Several students alleged that Rodriguez slapped, pushed and grabbed students. They also alleged that he had thrown away lunches, didn’t allow students to go to the bathroom during class, didn’t allow students to get a drink or have their water bottles, and once took $25 from a student.

When talking with police, Rodriguez said the days leading up to April 20 “were stressful for the entire fourth grade.” He said students had been acting unruly, even the ones who are generally well-behaved.

Rodriguez, according to the report, said he took a student by the arm, seated a student in the corner and moved two students’ heads down on the desk, but it was not forceful. He admitted to raising his voice and hitting the white board.

More in Education

The latest crop of U.S. Rhodes scholars has more women than any other single class, and almost half of this year’s recipients of the prestigious scholarship to Oxford University in England are either immigrants or first-generation Americans, the Rhodes Trust announced Sunday.

The University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics is primed for Monday's scheduled launch of two of its miniature satellites on a mission to collect data on the physics of the sun and its impact on Earth.

When Colorado schools don’t do a good job educating certain groups of students — like students of color or those learning English — state education officials can suggest ways to improve student performance and help districts find funding for new programs and training.